Recreational Therapy Internship

Recreational therapy internships allow students the opportunity to intern at one of our three locations which include Mountainside, New Brunswick and Toms River. It is a 15 consecutive week internship; 40 hours per week.

Mountainside: Student interns in Mountainside have the opportunity to work with infants, children, adolescents and young adults in our pediatric long term care center, considered home for these patients. Interns also have the opportunity to participate in outpatient programs, pet visitation and Friday Night Fever (a teen social group).

New Brunswick: Student interns in New Brunswick will have the opportunity to work with infants, children, adolescents and young adults in our inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Toms River: Student interns in Toms River have the opportunity to work with infants, children, adolescents and young adults in our pediatric long term care center, considered home for these patients. Interns also have the opportunity to participate in outpatient programs, pet visitation, Friday Night Fever (a teen social group) and outpatient camps. Please note, students are expected to provide their own transportation and meal plan.

Click here for application

Click here for student competencies

Click here for our sample training guide

Application Deadlines

  • Summer (please check for availability)
    • Application deadline January 1
    • Last interview held February 15
    • Selection made February 20
  • Fall
    • application deadline May 1
    • last interview held June 15
    • selection made June 20
  • Spring
    • application deadline September 1
    • last interview held October 15
    • selection made October 20

Please send your cover letter, application and resume to: Laurie Freeman at lfreeman@childrens-specialized.org.

Learn about our Recreation Therapy & Child Life Programs and our Community Recreation Programs

Activity Connection Internship (High School & College Levels Available):

CSH Activity Connection Interns will gain exposure to working in social and recreational settings with children and young adults with special health care needs and developmental delays, physical disabilities, and neurological conditions. Interns spend 40 percent of their hours in programs with youth, and 60 percent in the office, assisting with coordination, clerical work and data entry, research assistance, event planning, marketing, and volunteer recruitment. Interns will focus on goals surrounding leadership development, comfort working with children with special health care needs, and strengthen organizational and clerical skills in a professional environment.

Eligibility for this position includes:

  • Current high school junior or higher, OR currently enrolled in an undergraduate program studying recreation, special education, or related health profession; communication and marketing majors are also encouraged to apply.
  • Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.
  • Availability for a minimum of 45 hours of internship time during a semester (typically a 7-10 week internship, including two 3-hour shifts per week).
  • Comfort with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • This position is based out of the Mountainside location.
  • Afternoon and evening hours are required, and weekend hours are available and encouraged.

The Activity Connection takes up to 4 interns each season. Those interested should please complete this downloadable Internship Application and send to cfoelsch@children-specialized.org.

Patient Stories

  • When reflecting back on his time in the Spinal Cord Rehabilitation Program, Adrian said, “I had fun the entire time."

    Adrian
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  • This team was amazing, and we are so thankful that we were given a chance to do this therapy with Lara so we could remove her tube.

    Lara
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  • Everyone was so good. They treated Heaven like a princess, and I felt free. I felt like I didn’t have to stay by her side all the time.

    Heaven
    Read More

Patient Stories

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